Next week we’ll be featuring a post on the complex issues raised by autonomous drones. Here’s a New York Timespiece that draws on similar themes including the ethics involved in killing and autonomy.

There’s a fascinating blog post on the barriers to professional military blogging. Cross-posted to CIMSEC, it asks, why is it so difficult to attract Gen-Y thinkers to post about naval warfighting? Here’s a snippet:

The perceived risks and rewards of sharing ideas online have never been greater in an era where the center of gravity in naval warfighting thinking has shifted from the dusty Naval War College Review lying unread on the shelf in the empty wardroom, to the simulator and the blogosphere.

Melbourne: If you’re interested in the economic relationship between Australia and China, Mr Colin Heseltine, a former Australian diplomat, will talk about strengthening business ties, hosted by AIIA Victoria Thursday 4 April at 6pm, Dyason House.

Is China at a turning point? Hosted by the Asia Institute and the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies, Professor Christine Wong, Mr Murray McLean and Professor Ross Garnaut will discuss China’s trajectory on Monday 8 April at 5.30pm, Sidney Myer Asia Centre.

Sydney: the Lowy Institute will be hosting former Prime Minister John Howard who will deliver an address on the tenth anniversary of the Iraq war on Tuesday 9 April, details here.